20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

April 19, 2018Doug Murray

If you have some extra space, a great way to make it work for you is to rent it out on Airbnb. However, as many an aspiring Airbnb host has found out, you can’t just list your space and expect the dollars to come pouring in. It takes a bit of effort on your part to be a successful Airbnb host. These tips will help you become one.

Real Estate

20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

April 19, 2018 Doug Murray

If you have some extra space, a great way to make it work for you is to rent it out on Airbnb. However, as many an aspiring Airbnb host has found out, you can’t just list your space and expect the dollars to come pouring in. It takes a bit of effort on your part to be a successful Airbnb host. These tips will help you become one.

1. Understand Your Market

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1. Understand Your Market

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The website <a href="https://learnairbnb.com/airbnb-hosting-beginners-guide/" target="_blank">Learn Airbnb</a> suggests that before you list your property, you find out about the market conditions for Airbnb in your area to see if hosting would be worth it. Do you live in a town or city that people would want to visit? Would they have different needs at different times of the year?

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

1. Understand Your Market

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The website <a href="https://learnairbnb.com/airbnb-hosting-beginners-guide/" target="_blank">Learn Airbnb</a> suggests that before you list your property, you find out about the market conditions for Airbnb in your area to see if hosting would be worth it. Do you live in a town or city that people would want to visit? Would they have different needs at different times of the year?

Photo Credit: Getty Images

2. Determine What is Special About Your Property

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2. Determine What is Special About Your Property

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

With so many people listing their properties on Airbnb, you need to find a way to get potential guests to choose yours. Take an honest look at what you have to offer that is unique and why people would want to stay in your space rather than elsewhere.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

2. Determine What is Special About Your Property

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With so many people listing their properties on Airbnb, you need to find a way to get potential guests to choose yours. Take an honest look at what you have to offer that is unique and why people would want to stay in your space rather than elsewhere.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

3. Check the Law

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3. Check the Law

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<a href="https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/376/what-legal-and-regulatory-issues-should-i-consider-before-hosting-on-airbnb" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> says that you need to check the local laws and regulations about short-term rentals before listing your property on the site. In some places you might need to get a permit, for instance, while in others you might not be allowed to host on Airbnb at all.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

3. Check the Law

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<a href="https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/376/what-legal-and-regulatory-issues-should-i-consider-before-hosting-on-airbnb" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> says that you need to check the local laws and regulations about short-term rentals before listing your property on the site. In some places you might need to get a permit, for instance, while in others you might not be allowed to host on Airbnb at all.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

4. Check With Your Landlord

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4. Check With Your Landlord

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If you rent, your rental agreement may contain a clause about subletting. Get your landlord’s permission before hosting on Airbnb otherwise you might damage your relationship or even lose the property.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

4. Check With Your Landlord

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If you rent, your rental agreement may contain a clause about subletting. Get your landlord’s permission before hosting on Airbnb otherwise you might damage your relationship or even lose the property.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

5. Consider Your Location

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5. Consider Your Location

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"Location, location, location" doesn’t just apply to real estate sales. Is your property close to tourist attractions, landmarks and amenities that people might look for or special events happening in your area? If not, how can you make that work to your advantage?

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

5. Consider Your Location

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"Location, location, location" doesn’t just apply to real estate sales. Is your property close to tourist attractions, landmarks and amenities that people might look for or special events happening in your area? If not, how can you make that work to your advantage?

Photo Credit: Getty Images

6. Stay in Other Airbnb Properties

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6. Stay in Other Airbnb Properties

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When you travel, make a point of staying in Airbnb properties. Your experience as a guest will help you identify what it is that guests want and what you as a host should and shouldn’t do.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

6. Stay in Other Airbnb Properties

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When you travel, make a point of staying in Airbnb properties. Your experience as a guest will help you identify what it is that guests want and what you as a host should and shouldn’t do.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

7. Be Honest About Your Property

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7. Be Honest About Your Property

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

<a href="https://blog.atairbnb.com/guide-to-hosting-success/" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> says that you need to be upfront about your property when you list it. For example, if it’s in the middle of nowhere and only has basic amenities, gear your listing towards people who might be looking for a rustic retreat. If guests know what to expect, there’s a smaller chance of disappointment.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

7. Be Honest About Your Property

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<a href="https://blog.atairbnb.com/guide-to-hosting-success/" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> says that you need to be upfront about your property when you list it. For example, if it’s in the middle of nowhere and only has basic amenities, gear your listing towards people who might be looking for a rustic retreat. If guests know what to expect, there’s a smaller chance of disappointment.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

8. Keep it Clean

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8. Keep it Clean

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Nobody wants to stay in a messy, dirty place. Keep your property – not only the part you want to rent our but the entire property, including the yard – spotless and tidy at all times. If you don’t have the time to clean the place yourself invest in cleaning and gardening services.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

8. Keep it Clean

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Nobody wants to stay in a messy, dirty place. Keep your property – not only the part you want to rent our but the entire property, including the yard – spotless and tidy at all times. If you don’t have the time to clean the place yourself invest in cleaning and gardening services.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

9. Communicate

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9. Communicate

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When people are trying to book accommodation, they want to have their booking confirmed as soon as possible or they might go somewhere else. Respond to messages as fast as possible and communicate clearly.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

9. Communicate

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When people are trying to book accommodation, they want to have their booking confirmed as soon as possible or they might go somewhere else. Respond to messages as fast as possible and communicate clearly.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

10. Give Clear Directions

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10. Give Clear Directions

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Your guests will need to know how to get to your place, so send them clear directions before they travel. Make sure you consider the different modes of transport they might be taking, so include directions from the airport and the train or bus station as well as driving directions. You might want to include a map in your directions too.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

10. Give Clear Directions

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Your guests will need to know how to get to your place, so send them clear directions before they travel. Make sure you consider the different modes of transport they might be taking, so include directions from the airport and the train or bus station as well as driving directions. You might want to include a map in your directions too.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

11. Set the Rules

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11. Set the Rules

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To avoid misunderstandings and problems – including problems with your neighbours – be clear about what guests may or may not do. Let them know beforehand what the rules are so that they can plan their stay accordingly, and have a print-out of the rules available too. However, be reasonable with your rules so that guests can relax during their stay.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

11. Set the Rules

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To avoid misunderstandings and problems – including problems with your neighbours – be clear about what guests may or may not do. Let them know beforehand what the rules are so that they can plan their stay accordingly, and have a print-out of the rules available too. However, be reasonable with your rules so that guests can relax during their stay.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

12. Consider Your Pets

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12. Consider Your Pets

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You might think you have the greatest dogs in the country but not everyone may be as enthusiastic about Rover as you are. Your potential guests need to know if you have pets and also what kind of pets you have. An aggressive dog and a guest family with small children could be a recipe for disaster.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

12. Consider Your Pets

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You might think you have the greatest dogs in the country but not everyone may be as enthusiastic about Rover as you are. Your potential guests need to know if you have pets and also what kind of pets you have. An aggressive dog and a guest family with small children could be a recipe for disaster.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

13. Consider Guests' Pets

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13. Consider Guests' Pets

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Some guests may specifically look for pet-friendly accommodation. However, being pet friendly doesn’t simply mean guests are allowed to bring their furry friends. A good pet-friendly host will ensure that there’s space for guests to walk their dogs and that there are food and water bowls, beds and other amenities for animals.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

13. Consider Guests' Pets

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Some guests may specifically look for pet-friendly accommodation. However, being pet friendly doesn’t simply mean guests are allowed to bring their furry friends. A good pet-friendly host will ensure that there’s space for guests to walk their dogs and that there are food and water bowls, beds and other amenities for animals.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

14. Provide a Private Bathroom

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14. Provide a Private Bathroom

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If you’re renting out a room rather than the entire property, an en-suite bedroom is the best option. Otherwise, have a bathroom exclusively for guest use and stock it with toiletries.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

14. Provide a Private Bathroom

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If you’re renting out a room rather than the entire property, an en-suite bedroom is the best option. Otherwise, have a bathroom exclusively for guest use and stock it with toiletries.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

15. Provide Kitchen Facilities

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15. Provide Kitchen Facilities

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

For many travellers, the attraction of Airbnb is that it gives them the opportunity to live like a local. This includes the ability to shop at local markets and cook their own meals, so have kitchen facilities available for them. An excellent host will also consider special touches. Have basics like coffee, tea, sugar and spices ready.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

15. Provide Kitchen Facilities

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For many travellers, the attraction of Airbnb is that it gives them the opportunity to live like a local. This includes the ability to shop at local markets and cook their own meals, so have kitchen facilities available for them. An excellent host will also consider special touches. Have basics like coffee, tea, sugar and spices ready.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

16. Provide Comfortable Bedding

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16. Provide Comfortable Bedding

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Invest in a good mattress and quality bedding to ensure a good night’s sleep for your guests. You could even make this one of the selling points in your listing.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

16. Provide Comfortable Bedding

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Invest in a good mattress and quality bedding to ensure a good night’s sleep for your guests. You could even make this one of the selling points in your listing.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

17. Provide a Good Workspace

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17. Provide a Good Workspace

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With more and more people choosing jobs that they can do from anywhere, a good workspace is becoming increasingly important. Provide a desk and comfortable office chair, good lighting, decent Wi-Fi and multiple power outlets.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

17. Provide a Good Workspace

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With more and more people choosing jobs that they can do from anywhere, a good workspace is becoming increasingly important. Provide a desk and comfortable office chair, good lighting, decent Wi-Fi and multiple power outlets.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

18. Provide Closet Space

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18. Provide Closet Space

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Just because your guests will be living out of a suitcase doesn’t mean they should have to keep their possessions in their luggage throughout their stay. Have sufficient shelves and closet space with clothes hangers for them to use.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

18. Provide Closet Space

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Just because your guests will be living out of a suitcase doesn’t mean they should have to keep their possessions in their luggage throughout their stay. Have sufficient shelves and closet space with clothes hangers for them to use.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

19. Consider Security

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19. Consider Security

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Security can make or break your Airbnb listing. Do everything you can to ensure guests’ safety during their stay, with secure locks, well-lit pathways and entrances, off-street parking, and advice on things not to do while travelling in your area. Also provide a list of local emergency numbers.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

19. Consider Security

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Security can make or break your Airbnb listing. Do everything you can to ensure guests’ safety during their stay, with secure locks, well-lit pathways and entrances, off-street parking, and advice on things not to do while travelling in your area. Also provide a list of local emergency numbers.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

20. Be an Involved Host, but Not Too Involved

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20. Be an Involved Host, but Not Too Involved

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

As a host, you need to be available for your guests when they need you to be. This means being ready and willing to answer questions. However, guests also want to enjoy their stay in privacy, so be sure to give them their space.

Real Estate20 Things You Need to Know to Become a Successful Host on Airbnb

20. Be an Involved Host, but Not Too Involved

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As a host, you need to be available for your guests when they need you to be. This means being ready and willing to answer questions. However, guests also want to enjoy their stay in privacy, so be sure to give them their space.